Re: A truly scary New Year's Resolution!

On 1/14/2011 2:56 PM, Richard van Schaik wrote:
On 14-01-2011 18:30, JFHH wrote:

----- Original Message ----- From: "John Prentice"
<johnp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
I just received an email from the Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE show
promoters. It includes the following, frankly terrifying, imperative:
> "Make 2011 the year your ancestors come to life!"
> (shudder)
> John

Might crack a few brick-walls, though........:-)

I would be delighted to ask some of mine the nasty questions as in like
"who are your parents" and the like. But seeing them all ......... I
shudder in the different way of thinking about how to respond to what
the environment gives.

Suppose you could prove Genghis Khan was one of them (to name one
extremely far away) ....... what way of thinking do you need to be able
to converse with him?

Richard

I have thought about that. I believe there would be some problems with words, assuming the same language. Obviously any thing about electronic would be extremely difficult as electronics became computer technology.

However, when talking about family relationships, and the technology of the ancestors time I think there would probably be few problems while we discussed our brick walls with them. They were as interested in family as much as we are. As far as technology and medical terms that our ancestors were familiar with these would take some translation.

As an example: My father worked as a welder in a national company through the mid 1900's. His father was a blacksmith. One day my grandfather made the statement that he could weld as well as my father. Out of respect I said nothing and let them pursue the issue, but I could not even consider that my grandfather was a welder. It took many years to learn the truth.

I think we underrate our ancestors capabilities. They were quite mobile. The canal system in the US was quite developed by the early 1820. If you have never ridden a horse pulled canal boat across an aqueduct it is a very pleasant and luxurious form of travel. By the Mid 1800's railroads were everywhere, and in the early 1900's people could easily travel on light rail, rail roads, roads, and canals.

Scientifically they were developing the concepts that we find routine to day. So while they may never have seen a radio, the concept would be conceivable and the discussion with the ancestor could continue.

The only problem with talking to those ancestors would be that I would not have time to talk to all of them and close all my dead ends.

.

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